The ID card was a little worn, and its photo had been taken years ago.
The boy in the photo wore a blue-and-white school uniform. His features were clear and fresh, full of the fearless confidence he had possessed before debt had worn him down.
That was Yuan Su from an earlier time.
A brilliant, gifted Yuan Su whom even Pu Yu had never seen.
Her fingers gently stroked the card, and her eyes grew hot.
Then she looked up at the man before her.
His features had grown sharper, his gaze deeper.
He was more attractive now, but he also made her heart ache more.
"Ten minutes," Yuan Su said.
"There's a little supermarket nearby. I'll come straight back once I've bought everything."
Pu Yu sniffed and clutched his ID card and phone in her palm. Suddenly, she remembered how he had made the same promise in South Hua City when he went out to buy medicine for her.
Count the minutes.
Ten minutes.
She blinked hard to dispel the moisture welling in her eyes, raised her head, and said:
"Then I want a pink towel."
"And pink slippers."
She paused, then added, "The toothbrush has to be pink too."
Yuan Su froze for a moment.
He looked into her eyes, where the sheen of tears had yet to fade.
It was as though she was testing him, or trying to confirm something.
He held her gaze in silence for two seconds, then gave a very slight nod.
"All right."
"Wait for me here."
Without another word, he took some cash, turned, and rushed out into the wind and snow.
The door closed, leaving Pu Yu alone in the little room.
Clutching his ID card and phone, she slowly sat back down on the edge of the bed.
His